title: Dietary n-3 LC-PUFA during the perinatal period as a strategy to minimize childhood allergic disease.
abstract: There has been growing interest in the role of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in the modulation of the immune response during early childhood and whether this may translate to a reduction in childhood allergic disease. Several randomized controlled trials of n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation have been reported, largely involving children who are at high hereditary risk of developing allergies. These studies relatively consistently indicate that supplementation during pregnancy results in fewer children with atopic eczema in early childhood. On the other hand, supplementation studies confined exclusively to the postnatal period have demonstrated mixed results with one trial showing no effect and the other suggesting a transient effect on symptoms of respiratory disease. In summary, supplementation with n-3 LC-PUFA during the perinatal period and before allergic response is established may be a useful strategy to prevent early childhood allergic disease in children at high hereditary risk. Further work is needed to establish the optimal period of supplementation and whether longer term benefits exist.
authors.affiliation: Women's and Children's Health Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, North Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makrides
authors.forename: Anoja W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Gunaratne
authors.forename: Carmel T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007223:Infant; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3